diff --git a/armi/operators/settingsValidation.py b/armi/operators/settingsValidation.py
index d20eecd99..92f307091 100644
--- a/armi/operators/settingsValidation.py
+++ b/armi/operators/settingsValidation.py
@@ -477,6 +477,16 @@ def _willBeCopiedFrom(fName):
             self.NO_ACTION,
         )
 
+        self.addQuery(
+            lambda: not self.cs["looseCoupling"]
+            and self.cs["numCoupledIterations"] > 0,
+            "You have {0} coupled iterations selected, but have not activated loose coupling.".format(
+                self.cs["numCoupledIterations"]
+            ),
+            "Set looseCoupling to True?",
+            lambda: self._assignCS("looseCoupling", True),
+        )
+
         self.addQuery(
             lambda: self.cs["numCoupledIterations"] > 0,
             "You have {0} coupling iterations selected.".format(